Chad, the Central African Republic and the UN refugee agency UNHCR opened a two-day meeting in the Chadian capital, N’Djamena, on 3 November to set up the commission that will organise voluntary returns of Central African refugees, Tchadinfos reported. Chad hosts more than 140,000 of them.
The meeting was due to install the commission, created by a 22 October 2024 agreement between the three parties, adopt its terms of reference and review technical, logistical and security questions. Participants were also to assign responsibilities, set a calendar for the first operations and identify the resources needed. Officials point to a gradual improvement in security in the Central African Republic as the reason for relaunching the process.
“Repatriation must remain freely consented, voluntary, safe and dignified,” Chad’s social affairs minister, Zara Mahamat Issa, said. “Chad will not force any refugee to return to their country against their will. Return is a right and not an obligation.” Refugees who prefer to stay will keep their protection and assistance, she said.